We review all inter county competitions game by game starting with the McKenna Cup which got under way on Sunday January 11th 2009 and resulted in 3 games, one win and two defeats. Dr. Mc Kenna Cup St Marys' 1-13 Monaghan 1-10 Monaghan 1-12 Down 1-9 Tyrone 1-18 Monaghan 0-17. National Football League Table Next up it was the Allianz National Football League and following a detailed analysis of each game Monaghan ended up in top spot with 11 points from seven outings, 5 victories, 1 draw and 1 defeat. Played Won Lost Drawn Points Monaghan 7 5 1 1 11 Cork 7 5 1 1 11 Kildare 7 4 1 2 10 Armagh 7 4 3 0 8 Meath 7 2 3 2 6 Laois 7 3 4 0 6 Fermanagh 7 1 5 1 3 Wexford 7 0 6 1 1 The result against Laois saw Monaghan gaining promotion, a top of the table finish and a place in the final against Cork. With promotion already achieved there was now an opportunity to acquire the actual Division 2 title. The scene was now set with Cork providing the opposition. A great first half display by Cork especially at midfield deprived the Monaghan forward line of scoring opportunities. Cork led at half time by 0-10 to 0-4. An improved performance in the second half was not sufficient to alter the course of the game with a goal by James Masters with only five minutes remaining setting Cork up for victory. THE RESULTS. Monaghan 2-12 Fermanagh 1-10. Monaghan 2-17 Wexford 1-12. Monaghan 1-13 Armagh 0-14. Kildare 1-14 Monaghan 1-11. Meath 0-12 Monaghan 0-12. Monaghan 2-13 Cork 1-9. Monaghan 4-16 Laois 0-8. Cork 1-14 Monaghan 0-12. Ulster Football Championship Derry 1-10 Monaghan 0-10. Despite being the more dominant team for the greater part of this match Monaghan's missed chances determined the overall outcome of this game. Monaghan opened the scoring with a point inside the first minute. Derry with the assistance of an excellently executed goal by Paddy Bradley went three points ahead. Monaghan failed to capitalize on the ample possession afforded to them during the remainder of the first half and the teams finished the half on level terms - Derry 1-3 Monaghan 0-6. Both teams exchanged scores early in the second half and entering the final quarter Monaghan took the lead but this was to be their final score. Derry went on to score four further points and ended the game on a winning note on a score line of Derry 1-10 Monaghan 0-10. This game displayed at times the good side of the game of football but unfortunately on the other hand on too many occasions the contrary was very evident with the referee failing to take the necessary action. Sufficient has been written about the aftermath of this game. The Central Competitions Control Committee viewed a video of the game. Tomas Freeman was charged with a category 11 offence which he subsequently appealed. His appeal was upheld but the case was referred back for reprocessing and eventually the penalty still stood. Coiste Chontae Mhuineachain was charged as having committed the infraction of 'Disruptive conduct by players (not causing the Premature Termination of a Game). Following a hearing request which was granted The Central Hearings Committee ruled that the charge was not proven. Comments made by Joe Brolly on T.V. and Radio in relation to this game caused concern to the team, management and supporters. This concern was outlined by An Coiste Chontae in correspondence submitted to Croke Park. In the All Ireland qualifiers Monaghan defeated Armagh and then lost to Derry. All Ireland Qualifiers Monaghan 0-13 Armagh 0-12 Monaghan 3-15 Derry 0-20 "I wish to thank Seamus Mc Enaney and his Management team for their dedication and commitment during 2009. Seamus following the Derry game took some time to consider whether he would be interested in continuing as manager in 2010. After a period of deliberation he decided to let his name go forward for the position. Under 21 Football: Monaghan's first competition was the Shamrock Cup tournament where they reached the final but fell to a strong Tyrone side by two points. Shamrock Cup Results: Monaghan 1-12 Down 1-6 Monaghan 1-13 Armagh 1-7 Tyrone 1-13 Monaghan 2-9 Final: Tyrone 2-10 Monaghan 2-8 Ulster Under 21 Football Championship Monaghan had a dream start to this Championship Game against Fermanagh scoring 1-4 without reply in the first 10 minutes. Fermanagh gradually came into the game with the half time score reading Monaghan 1-6. Fermanagh 0-3. Fermanagh had a greater grip on the game in the second half and entering the final quarter had reduced the lead to 2 points. A goal by Kevin Connolly put them in front for the first time. Monaghan fought determinedly to the end but failed to score which resulted in victory for Fermanagh by the narrowest of margins - Fermanagh 1-7. Monaghan 1-6. I wish to thank both Dermot Maguire and Gerard Caulfield for undertaking the management of this team in 2009. Minor Football Ulster Minor Football League; Monaghan played five games in the Ulster minor football league, winning two and drawing three. Monaghan 1-10 Armagh 1-10 Monaghan 2-9 Down 1-9 Monaghan 0-13 Dublin 1-10 Monaghan 1-12 Meath 1-08 Cavan 0-10 Monaghan 0-10 Ulster Minor Football Championship Monaghan 1-12 Derry 0-10 Armagh 2-14 Monaghan 2-08 Monaghan staged a very strong finish to secure a place in the semi-final of the Ulster Championship at the expense of Derry in Celtic Park but then lost out to eventual All Ireland champions, Armagh in the semi final. A sincere thank you to Bernie Murray and his backroom team on their excellent efforts during 2009. Bernie has recently been re-appointed as manager for the 2010 season and I have no doubt that he will leave no stone unturned in an effort to achieve success in the future. Senior Hurling National Hurling League Frank Brady managed the Senior Hurling team this year. He was assisted by Kevin Maloney who acted as team trainer and Paddy Donnelly as a selector. Monaghan 4.10 Cavan 3.4. Monaghan 0.13 Leitrim 0.12. Sligo 2.13 Monaghan 0.5 Fermanagh 3.8 Monaghan 2.15. Monaghan 1-10 South Down 1-9. Final: Sligo 1-13 Monaghan 2-8. In the final Sligo led by 1-3 to 1-2 at half time. In a very close and lively second half both sides exchanged scores and there was never more than two points separating the sides. Sligo finished strongly at the end of normal time to claw back a two point lead from Monaghan to leave the sides level on a score line of Monaghan 2-6 Sligo 1-9. Monaghan took the lead in the first period of extra time with points from Sean Leonard and Bernard O Brien. Sligo replied with a point to leave Monaghan leading by one point at the end of the first period of extra time. Sligo made better use of their chances in the final period to score three unanswered points to win by two and take promotion to Division 3B. Ulster Senior Hurling Championship Following defeat in extra time in the league final Monaghan faced Armagh in the first round of the Ulster Hurling Championshipand went out on a final Score line of Armagh 1-22 Monaghan 1-08. Nicky Rackard Cup. Monaghan played three game sin the Rackard Cup but were defeated in all three despite battling performances. Monaghan 1-08. Louth 1-12 Monaghan 2-13. Fingal 1-18 Monaghan 2-9 Sligo 3-14 Monaghan are once again included in the Nicky Rackard Group for 2010. A proposal put forward to the recent Special Congress in this regard was withdrawn at the request of the President Criostoir O Cuana. Representatives from An Coiste Chontae later met with the President on this matter. Ulster Under 21 Shield. In the Ulster U21 Shield Monaghan recorded victories over Donegal in the semi final and Fermanagh in the final but in the U21 championship proper Armagh proved too strong. Monaghan later competed in the All Ireland B championship against Roscommon but the Westerners proved too strong and won by seven points at the finish. Monaghan 3-8, Donegal 1-11 Monaghan 2-10 Fermanagh 1-9 Ulster Under 21 Hurling Championship Armagh 3-18, Monaghan 1-3 All Ireland 'B' Semi-Final Monaghan 1-7 Roscommon 1-14 The Under 21 team was managed this year by Frank Brady. Aidan Kerr acted as Team Trainer whilst Paddy Donnelly and Brendan Murphy operated as selectors and my thanks to them for their efforts. Ulster Minor Hurling League Monaghan 0-6 Donegal 2-11 Fermanagh 3-10 Monaghan 1-3 Tyrone 4-11 Monaghan 0-6 The County Minor Hurling team was managed this year by Sean Leonard, Brendan Murphy and Stephen Mc Kenna acted as selectors. Monaghan competed in the Ulster Minor Hurling League this year for the first time in many years. Whilst they failed to win any of their league games I have no doubt that the work done this year will prove to be valuable for the future. Minor Hurling Championship Fermanagh 0-10 Monaghan 1-7 Monaghan 1-7 Fermanagh 3-9 In a very close and exciting game in Irvinestown Monaghan and Fermanagh finished level after extra time but Fermanagh with John Duffy who scored 1-5, back in action they went on to win fairly comfortably. Club Competitions Gormley uPVC - Senior Football Championship Ten teams, Ballybay, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clontibret, Doohamlet, Inniskeen, Latton, Magheracloone, Scotstown and Truagh took part in the 2009 senior football championship. Latton the reigning champions had the privilege of opening this year's championship with a game against Clontibret which they won by a point and Ailish McEntee's report goes on to review the series game by game with a championship score board summing it up. Senior Championship Results Date Score Score Venue 29/5/2009 Latton 0-9 Clontibret 0-8 C'Blayney 30/5/2009 Inniskeen 0-11 Ballybay 0-11 Clontibret 30/5//2009 C'Blayney 2-18 Truagh 3-5 Clontibret 31/5/2009 Scotstown 3-14 Doohamlet 0-13 Monaghan 01/6/2009 Magheracloone 1-15 Carrickmacross 1-14 Inniskeen 04/6/2009 Inniskeen 1-12 Ballybay 0-7 Clontibret 24/7/2009 Clontibret 0-13 Ballybay 0-9 C'Blayney 25/7/2009 Inniskeen 2-9 Scotstown 2-9 Clontibret 9/8/2009rp Scotstown 1-12 Inniskeen 1-4 Clontibret 9/8/2009 Truagh 3-14 Doohamlet 1-8 Monaghan 14/8/2009 Magheracloone 0-12 Latton 0-11 C'Blayney 15/8/2009 Scotstown 1-11 C'Blayney 0-10 Clontibret 16/8/2009 Carrickmacross 1-11 Inniskeen 0-9 Aughnamullen 16/8/2009 Clontibret 0-18 Truagh 2-8 Scotstown 29/8/2009 Latton 1-12 Carrickmacross 0-13 Clontibret 30/8/2009 C'Blayney 0-11 Clontibret 0-11 Ballybay 5/9/2009 Clontibret 1-18 C'Blayney 1-16 aet Emyvale (replay) Semi-/Finals 12/9/2009 Clontibret 2-13 Magheracloone 1-9 Inniskeen 13/9/2009 Latton 2-7 Scotstown 0-11 Clones Final 27/9/2009 Clontibret 2-13 Latton 0-9 Clones Silverhill Foods Senior Hurling Championship Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clontibret, Inniskeen, Latton, Monaghan Harps and Truagh took part in the senior hurling championship with C'Blayney eventually completing a six in a row of titles when they defeated Latton in the final. Senior Hurling Championship Results Castleblayney 3-16 Carrickmacross 0-4 Truagh 0-4 Clontibret 3-13 Inniskeen 3-9 Monaghan Harps 2-18 Latton - Bye Semi-Finals Clontibret 2-5 Latton 3-7 Castleblayney 1-17 Monaghan Harps 1-12 Final Castleblayney 3-17 Latton 1-5 Senior Hurling Championship Shield Results Semi-final Carrickmacross 1-20 Inniskeen 2-09 Truagh -Bye Final: Carrickmacross 2-9 Truagh 1-10 McGuigan Builders - Intermediate Football Championship Ten teams, Aghabog, Aughnamullen, Corduff, Cremartin, Drumhowan, Donaghmoyne, Eire Og, Monaghan Harps, Rockcorry and Tyholland contested the intermediate football championship with Monaghan Harps defeating Drumhowan in the final in Clontibret. Intermediate Championship Results Date Venue 5/6/2009 Tyholland 1-12 Aughnamullen 0-4 Clontibret 6/6/2009 Corduff 0-12 Cremartin 0-11 C'Blayney 6/6/2009 Drumhowan 1-10 Donaghmoyne 0-10 C'Blayney 7/6/2009 Rockcorry 1-12 Eire Og 0-5 Scotstown 7/6/2009 Monaghan Harps 2-21 Aghabog 0-6 Scotstown 25/7/2009 Donaghmoyne 0-12 Aghabog 1-9 Clontibret 25/7/2009 Aughnamullen 3-8 Cremartin 0-5 Drumhowan 26/7/2009 Tyholland 2-10 Corduff 3-3 Ballybay 9/8/2009rp Donaghmoyne 0-16 Aghabog 0-12 aet Clontibret 22/8/2009 Eire Og 2-10 Corduff 0-11 Clontibret 22/8/2009 Monaghan Harps 1-10 Drumhowan 0-9 Clontibret 23/8/2009 Rockcorry 0-9 Tyholland 0-9 Scotstown 23/8/2009 Aughnamullen 0-14 Donaghmoyne 1-9 Drumhowan 30/8/2009 Rockcorry 0-10 Tyholland 1-5 Scotstown (replay 4/9/2009 Eire Og 0-13 Tyholland 1-7 Emyvale 5/9/2009 Drumhowan 3-12 Aughnamullen 1-11 Ballybay S/Finals 2/10/2009 Monaghan Harps 1-9 Eire Og 0-6 Emyvale 3/10/2009 Drumhowan 1-11 Rockcorry 0-4 Ballybay Final 18/10/2009 Drumhowan 0-10 Monaghan Harps 1-10 Clontibret Westenra Arms Hotel Junior Football Championship Blackhill, Clones, Currin, Emyvale, Fergal O'Hanlon's, Killanny, Killeevan, Toome, Oram, Sean McDermotts. The Junior Championship commenced at the end of May when Emyvale overcame Sean Mc Dermotts' in the first game of the series with the final between Emyvale and Toome taking place on Sunday October 4th. Junior Championship Results Score Score Venue Date Venue 29/5/2009 Emyvale 1-12 Sean McDermotts 1-10 Scotstown 30/5/2009 Currin 1-8 Toome 0-11 Drumhowan 30/5/2009 Killanny 2-11 Killeevan 2-6 Drumhowan 31/5/2009 Blackhill 2-19 Fergal O'Hanlons 0-2 Monaghan 1/6/2009 Clones 1-15 Oram 4-9 Clontibret 3/6/2009 Toome 0-11 Currin 0-10 aet Drumhowan 23/7/2009 Currin 1-17 Sean McDermotts 1-9 Clones 26/7/2009 Emyvale 3-11 Toome 0-7 Ballybay 26/7/2009 Clones 4-12 Killeevan 3-6 Monaghan 14/8/2009 Killanny 2-6 Blackhill 0-8 Inniskeen 15/8/2009 Toome 3-12 Fergal O'Hanlons 1-5 Blackhill 15/8/2009 Emyvale 1-15 Oram 1-9 Clontibret 16/8/2009 Clones 0-12 Currin 0-7 Scotstown 28/8/2009 Oram V Toome Game Abandoned Inniskeen 29/8/2009 Clones 2-12 Blackhill 1-5 Clontibret 4/9/2009 Toome 2-8 Oram 0-8 Inniskeen (Refix) S/Finals 18/9/2009 Killanny 1-12 Toome 2-9 Inniskeen 19/9/2009 Emyvale 2-12 Clones 1-13 Scotstown 25/9/2009 Toome 2-6 Killanny 1-8 Inniskeen (replay) Final 4/10/2009 Emyvale 1-8 Toome 0-9 Drumhowan Boyle & Curran Minor Football Championship Div. 1 Scotstown 3-11 Aughnamullen 1-08 Div.2. Clontibret 1-13 Carrickmacross 1-06 Div. 3 Corduff 3-11 Tyholland 1-7 Scotstown achieved three in a row when they defeated Aughnamullen in this year's Minor Div.1 Championship Final. Clontibret won the Division 2 Championship defeating Carrickmacross in the final by seven points and Corduff won the Division 3 Championship title with the final played as the curtain raiser to the Junior Championship Final. Football & Hurling Leagues The secretary's report goes on to review the club League Competitions which she said "were guaranteed to provide enjoyment and entertainment throughout the season". "Castleblayney and Truagh reached the Senior Hurling league Final with Castleblayney completing the senior hurling double on a score line of Castleblayney 2-15 Truagh 1-08. In the Minor Hurling League final the scoring success of Castleblayneys' Fergal Rafter is worth a mention as he made a major contribution to his Clubs victory with a score of 10 points in this close encounter with Clontibret which ended on a score line of Castleblayney 0-13 Clontibret 1-8. Scotstown and Bally bay qualified for the Senior league final and following a close tense game Scotstown emerged as winners on a score line of Scotstown 1-9 Ballybay 0-16 to secure the Senior league title . Drumhowan topped the Intermediate league table with Tyholland in second place. Monaghan Harps, Rockcorry and Aghabog were involved in Play-offs for third and fourth places and since convention Drumhowan have won the league, defeating Monaghan Harps to gain some measure of recompense for losing the championship final. At Junior Level Sean Mc Dermotts' defeated Clones in the Semi-final of the league whilst Emyvale the Junior Champions were defeated by Currin in the other Semi-final. The Final between Currin and Sean Mc Dermotts on Sunday 6th December ended all square with Currin winning the replay by three points. League Winners Senior Football League Scotstown Intermediate Football League: Drumhowan Junior Football League: Currin Senior Hurling League Castleblayney Reserve Hurling league Inniskeen O Duffy Cup C'Blayney Crawley Cup Corduff Reserve Football League Division 1 Finalists Latton v Clontibret Reserve Football League Division 2. Monaghan Harps. Reserve Football League Division 3. Corduff Reserve Football league Division 4 Oram Under 21 Football League Div.1 Scotstown Under 21 Football League Division 2 Cremartin Under 21 Football league division 3 Blackhill Minor Hurling league Castleblayney Minor Football League Division 1 Truagh Minor Football League Division 2 Emerald Sarsfields' Minor football League Division 3 Corduff Tweet

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